After reading that the chrysalis would stay green for a week to ten days, I started to worry about Clarence because his stayed green for over two weeks. Finally, after two weeks and a day, the chrysalis turned dark, which is the next stage of development. The following morning, Clarence hatched and stretched out his wings.

After waiting a few hours to dry his wings, he was ready to take off.

Clarence was getting ready to take off.

Clarence is now on his way to Mexico, where he and the other monarchs migrate to spend the winter. I’ll be thinking about him every time the highway plow pushes a bunch of snow in my driveway.